Yellowing Of Teeth In Child | Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Teeth yellowing can occur for various reasons, including poor oral hygiene, dietary habits, genetics, or underlying health conditions. Understanding the causes, prevention methods, and available treatments is crucial for parents in maintaining their child’s dental health and a confident smile. 

But sometimes you may notice your loved one’s teeth look yellow lately. Don’t worry! There are several reasons for the yellowing of teeth, and today, you will learn about its prevention and treatment. But first of all, we need to know what are the causes behind it, so Let’s discuss!

What Are The Causes Of Yellowing Of Teeth?

As your child grows, they lose their teeth, and adult teeth grow in. When this happens, you may see a striking difference between the colours. It is because adult teeth contain more dentin, which makes a tooth look slightly yellow under translucent enamel. Furthermore, there are several reasons for the yellowing of teeth, as follows.

Plaque

Not brushing enough may lead to a collection of plaque on the tooth’s surface, making it look yellow. Not only that but food and drink can also discolor teeth. 

Cavities

Tooth decay and cavities can discolour teeth and make them look yellow. You may notice dark spots on teeth with decay. Over time, these spots can lead to holes in the teeth, which are cavities. If you suspect your child may have these issues, head to your dentist for treatment as soon as possible to prevent infection of the tooth. 

Injury

If your child injures their teeth, blood vessels may break and make teeth appear yellow, brown, grey, or black. After trauma, the capillaries within the teeth can burst and cause bleeding. Hemosiderin is a condition in which blood gets into the canals within the teeth. Injury may even affect the tooth enamel itself. 

Genetic Factor

Sometimes, children may naturally have thinner enamel due to genetic factors, which allow the underlying dentin (yellowish tissue) to show through.

Supplements

For very young children, fluorosis may be a concern. This condition happens when a baby consumes too much fluoride through water, toothpaste, or fortified foods. Fluorosis can lead to white or brown spots on the teeth, making the surrounding enamel look yellow. Other supplements may also discolour. 

Smoking

Though not a surprise to many, you also can get stained, brown teeth from smoking. Tobacco products, from cigarettes to pipe smoke to chewing tobacco, can stain and turn your teeth darker over time.

Which Food Or Drinks Change The Color Of Teeth?

• Certain foods and drinks can contribute to the yellowing or staining of teeth over time. Here are some common culprits.
• Coffee contains dark pigments known as tannins, which can adhere to the enamel and cause yellowing.
• Tea contains tannins that can stain teeth. Additionally, black tea is more likely to cause staining than herbal or green tea.
• Red wine is acidic and contains chromogens, which are pigmented compounds that can discolour teeth.
• Dark-coloured sodas contain artificial colourants and high amounts of sugar that cause tooth discolouration.
• Certain fruit juices like grape juice, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice are also a reason for it.
• Dark-coloured berries like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries contain pigments that can leave stains on teeth.
• The deep red colour of tomato sauce can cause teeth to appear yellowish over time.
• Curry is a flavorful spice blend that often contains turmeric, which can cause yellow staining on teeth.

How Medical Conditions Change The Color Of Teeth?

Certain medical conditions or factors can contribute to the yellowing of teeth. Here are a few examples:

Enamel Hypoplasia

Enamel hypoplasia is a condition where the enamel, the outer protective layer of the teeth, is in improper formulation or has insufficient development. It can result in teeth appearing yellow or even having pits or grooves.

Dentinogenesis Imperfecta

Dentinogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder that affects the development of dentin, which is the layer beneath the enamel. It can cause teeth to have a translucent or amber appearance, giving them a yellowish hue.

Jaundice

Jaundice results from high levels of bilirubin in the body, which can occur due to liver diseases. When bilirubin builds up, it can cause yellow discolouration in various parts of the body, including the teeth.

Certain Medications

Some medications, like certain antibiotics (like Tapicrycline) or antihistamines, can make your teeth look discoloured. These medications can bind to the developing tooth structure and lead to yellow or greyish stains.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy on the head and neck region can affect the development and health of the teeth. It can cause enamel hypoplasia and yellowing of teeth in the affected area.

How Does Aging Affect The Color Of Teeth?

Ageing can have an impact on the colour of teeth. The gradual thinning of enamel exposes more of the underlying layer called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellow, and when the enamel wears down, the yellowish hue of the dentin becomes more visible.

It can cause teeth to appear more yellow or even slightly darker. Additionally, the dentin itself can change over time, such as becoming more yellow or developing a slightly greyish tint.

What Are Some Home Remedies For Treatment?

Good Oral Hygiene Practices

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a whitening toothpaste containing mild abrasives. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth. For further instruction and help you can also read out natural ways to whiten your teeth at home.

Oil Pulling

Swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes, known as oil pulling, may help remove surface stains. Spit the oil out afterwards and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Baking Soda Paste

Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Add the paste to the toothbrush and gently rinse your teeth for about 1-2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Baking soda has mild abrasive properties that can help remove surface stains.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Rinse your mouth with a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration) and water. Spit it out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water afterwards. Hydrogen peroxide has mild bleaching properties that can help lighten stains. Use this method sparingly, as excessive use may lead to tooth sensitivity.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Combine apple cider vinegar with equal amounts of water. Swish the vinegar in your mouth for 5 seconds, then spit it out. Rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards. Apple cider vinegar has acidic properties that may help remove stains, but use it with caution as it can erode the enamel if used excessively.

Effective Tooth Gels For Healthy And White Teeth

Here are a few examples of tooth gels commonly used for teeth whitening.

1. Forever Bright Toothgel

It contains aloe vera extract, non-fluoride toothpaste, or tooth gel for fresh breath. It promotes gum health and prevents bad breath with powerful oral and gum care that gives you long-lasting fresh breath. Its superior formula makes it different from your ordinary organic toothpaste.

2. Crest 3D White Whitening Toothpaste

This toothpaste is a formulation that helps remove surface stains and polish teeth for a brighter appearance.

3. Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste

Colgate Optic White is designed to remove stains from the surface of teeth and contains hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent.

4. Opalescence Tooth Whitening Gel

Opalescence offers a range of tooth-whitening gels with varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. These gels are typically useful with custom-fitted trays provided by a dentist.

5. Philips Zoom NiteWhite

Philips Zoom NiteWhite is a take-home tooth whitening gel that can be useful with custom-fitted trays. It contains hydrogen peroxide as the active whitening ingredient.

6. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Gel

AuraGlow provides teeth-whitening gel that can be used with mouth trays or other whitening systems. It contains carbamide peroxide, a common whitening agent.

7. Rembrandt Deeply White + Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste

This toothpaste contains a deep cleaning formula with peroxide to remove stains and whiten teeth.

Conclusion

Emphasizing good oral hygiene practices, a balanced diet, regular dental check-ups, and limited exposure to staining substances can go a long way in preventing yellowing teeth. If yellowing persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, consulting a pediatric dentist is essential for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Remember, a confident smile starts with a foundation of good oral health. Want to know more health care tips then visit this section for natural healthy diets.

FAQ’s

1. Can natural remedies whiten teeth effectively?

Natural remedies like oil pulling, baking soda paste, or hydrogen peroxide rinses may have some mild whitening effects due to their cleansing or bleaching properties. Natural teeth whitening products are only sometimes effective and may not be as effective as professional teeth whitening treatments.

2. How long does it take to see results with teeth whitening treatments?

The timeframe for teeth whitening results can vary depending on the method used and the individual’s teeth. Some over-the-counter whitening products may show results in a few days to a few weeks, while professional dental treatments can provide noticeable improvements within one or a few sessions. 

3. Can yellowed teeth be permanently whitened?

The ability to permanently whiten yellowed teeth depends on the underlying cause of discolouration. In some cases, professional teeth whitening treatments can effectively remove or reduce stains, resulting in long-lasting whitening effects. If the yellowing is due to intrinsic factors like enamel hypoplasia or dentinogenesis imperfect, it may be more challenging to achieve permanent whitening.